Taken From the Henry News Republican
October 21, 1869
(A visit to Pleasant Ridge Nurseries, Mineral and Bradford, Illinois)
If it be trees, that he who causes two blades of grass to grow, where only one grew before, is a philanthropist and a public benefactor, how much more is it true of those who make the multiplication of trees a specialty, especially in a prairie country like this.
The reflections are partly prompted by a recent visit to the Pleasant Ridge nurseries of Verry Aldrich, situated in the township of Arispee, Bureau county about four miles from the Junction, a little more than that from Tiskilwa, in a section of that excellent fruit belt formed by the high hills, and protecting timber skirting the south side of Bureau creek.
This timber protection, and sloping lay of land to the southward, renders this vicinity the best of any “in all the region round about,” for not only the growing of all varieties of smaller fruits, but also of apples, peaches, etc.
Years ago, Mr. Aldrich commenced the nursery business on a small scale, only occupying 20 acres. To this he has added from time to time, until his apple orchard alone occupies much more than the original space, while in bygone years he has furnished nursery stock for full half the farms in the vicinity, and in the cultivation of evergreens, bulbs and flowers he has lent a helping hand in the beautifying and adorning of numerous prairie homes.
A visit there at this season of the year is not devoid of interest, especially if the visitor has a liking for pears, which lay on the ground by the bushel rotting, or for grapes which have hung on beyond the proper time, or for cider (we didn’t touch it,) just from the mills, or for sights of apples on trees, or already gathered into newly made and spacious fruit cellars, to which we as mechanics put the finishing touches, and then hied us away for
This town is situated near the western line of Bureau county, between Sheffield and Annawan on the C. R.I. & P. R.R. The town is not very large, and perhaps never will be, as the tendency of railroads is to make only two large towns, one at each end, and numerous little ones between these. Mineral will be larger however when swamp lands on the north is drained by a ship canal, which we predict will be the case, in a shorter number of years than most persons imagine.
Boston has its big organ, every other place little or large its celebrities and notabilities, and Mineral has hers in the shape of a new school house which will be ready for use about the first of December. The building is of wood, two stories high, resting on stone foundation, size 24 x 40 with front projection for stairways 12 x 24. Cooper & Little of Tiskilwa do the carpentering and Robinson & Parker of Henry the stone, brick and plastering. The demands of labor prevented us from forming a very extensive acquaintance, and we never could find as many esquires, as Bonham of the Farmers Advocate, (who found 35 in one little town in McLean county, and it want a very good time for squires either), but we gladly acknowledge our indebtedness to Mr. and Mrs. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Conebear, and Miss Patterson, for much of social enjoyment while there, and these worthies will no doubt be surprised to learn that while providing singing and other enjoyable meetings for us, they were entertainings “angels unawares” in the shape of a newspaper scribbler.
We visited ex-supervisor C. Abbott and made a square meal on roast “hind quarters of the type of innocence;” with such filling in as a farmer’s wife only can furnish. And when enroute for home, we dinned at the hospitable mansion of Elder Purvier, who by patiently working and waiting has reached a comfortable home and plenty above ground, while the black diamond all under his broad farm could be leased out for a grand royalty netting over $6000 per acre.
Through brush and brake of Barren Grove, through Neponset, and Osceola, and several miles of excellent road, we succeeded in reaching the place of great expectations --
Bradford
This place, it is confidently asserted is the exact centre of 10 miles around it, and destined “In a few day” to cover up that much territory in squares and blocks of buildings, very much to the detriment of such small fry places as Henry, Tiskilwa, Buda, Neponset, Toulon, Wyoming and Sparland. Houses are going up at the rate of one in several minutes and few seconds, and the entire stock of one lumber yard has been “used up”, in making stakes for staking out corner lots. People are crowding in from all directions, and houses are all full and stables too. So much for fun; now for earnest.
Bradford is destined to be a place of considerable magnitude and is growing rapidly. Trade in all its branches is already represented, and a good hotel would do a splendid business. The cars will be running there by the first of next month, and of course everybody is awaiting with pleasant expectations so important an event. At this place we formed the acquaintance of Bradford F. Thompson, of the state legislature, J. B. Doyle long in the mercantile business here, and Mr. Foster who after a residence of 18 years is glad to see such prosperous and promising times.
We shall further speak of the vicinity at another time, and close for the present this long letter. --------Rambler.